Should the age be raised from 18 to 21 in Australia to combat underage drinking?

Posted by: fdm

29th Nov 2010 08:18pm

Should the age be raised from 18 to 21 in Australia to combat underage drinking?
Does anyone really think this will help with under-age drinking or make it worse?

Anonymous

5th Apr 2011 05:52am

I am in NZ and we suffer a similar (if not worse) binge drinking culture among our youth. Raising the drinking age to 21 is only one part of the prescription needed to curb underage drinking. The other important factor is to raise the price of alcohol so that its purchase is prohibitive to younger people. Then we need to legislate against the import and production of alcopops and for stricter control of advertising.
Its interesting to note that the point that catches for most people who complain about the binge drinking situation both NZ and Australia experience is the pricing issue. despite it being proven one of the most effective barriers to purchasing alcohol for the underage.
It's also of some concern to me that we now have fast food manufacturers cashing in on our youths preoccupation with alcohol. The BK Bourbon burger for example (although I realise its only bourbob flavouring used) is an abomination in my view and exactly the sort of thing that should be legislated out of possibility. Extremely irrespnsible and I will never eat at Burger King again.

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